Pipe coating machine



Oct. 16, 1934. KR'ANER 1,976,999

PIPE COATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IVarren 4; l raner ATTORNEYS.

PIPE COATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fl orreh ,4. Kroner A TTOR Oct 16, 1934. v w, A. KRANER 1,976,999

PIPE COATING MACHINE Filed Feb. 14, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'IE E...

INVENTOR. Warren 4. Kroner ATTORNEYS.

FI[E E Oct. 16, 1934. w, A. KRANER I PIPE COATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 14, 1935 Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE COATING MACHINE Application February 14, 1933, Serial No. 656,679

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to machines and methods for covering the exterior surfaces of pipes with suitable coating material, as for example material initially in plastic form, such as a hydraulic mortar.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine of the above character which will operate at relatively high speed, and which will be particularly effective in coating pipes of the small and medium sizes.

A further object'of the invention is to provide a pipe coating machine which can be used in the field, for the coating of either new or reconditioned pipe.

Further objects of the invention, relating for example to ease of operation and simplicity of construction, will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The

appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Figs. 1A and 1B taken together, form a side 5 elevational view of the machine incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine, partly in cross-section, looking toward the left hand of the machine illustrated in Figs. 1A and 13.

Fig. 3 is an end view, looking toward the right hand end of the machine as illustrated in Figs. 1A and 13.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1B.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail, illustrating the means for feeding and applying a coating of plastic material to the exterior of the pipe, the section being taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional detail taken along 40 the line 66 of Fig. 5.

The machine as illustrated in the drawings is characterized by application of a uniform layer of plastic material about the exterior of the pipe, and by the wrapping of a strip of suitable surfac- 5 ing material, such as cloth, upon top of tne layer of plastic material. Provision is also made whereby the layer of plastic material is properly densified, or properly compacted, before the finished product leaves the machine.

Referring first to Figs. 1A and 1B for a more detailed description, the machine consists of a base 10 which serves to support the main operating parts of the machine. The pipe to be coated which has been indicated at 11, is forced longi- 55 tudinally thru the machine at a predetermined rate, by feed means 12, (Fig. 1A). The means indicated generally at 13 in Fig. 1B, serves to supply the layer of plastic material to the exterior surface of the pipe and to wrap a strip of cloth or like material spirally upon top of the layer of plastic material.

Referring first to the feed means 12, illustrated in both Figs. 1A and 2, this means consists of a frame 16, carrying a pair of spaced upright members 17. A plurality of rotatable shafts 18 extend laterally of the direction of movement of pipe 11, and these shafts are carried by suitable journals 19 and 21. Rollers 22, fixed to shafts 18, serve to engage the under side of pipe 11. Arranged above pipe 11, and slidably engaging the upright members 1'7, there is a hanger 23. Journals 24 and 26, secured to this hanger, carrying a plurality of parallel shafts 27. The rollers 28, which are fixed to shafts 27, serve to engage the upper side of pipe 11 in opposition to the rollers 22.

In order to yieldably urge rollers 28 against the upper side of pipe 11, with varying degrees of pressure, I have provided means including a threaded rod 29, which is secured to the upper 30 ends of upright members 17. Threaded rod 29 is slidably engaged by a cross-head 31, the ends of which carry depending rods 32. The lower ends of rods 32 extend loosely through apertures provided in brackets 33, and the lower enlarged 35 heads 34 limit upward movement of the cross head 31. Interposed between the ends of crosshead 31 and brackets 33, are the compression springs 36. A nut 37 is threaded upon rod 29, and by adjusting-this nut, the amount of pressure exerted by cross-head 31 upon springs 36 can be adjusted.

In order to drive rollers 22 in unison I have provided a countershaft 38, which is carried by side brackets 39. Bevel pinions 41 are fixed to 5 this countershaft, and engage bevel gears 42 fixed to the adjacent ends of shafts 18. In order to likewise drive rollers 28, vertical shafts 43 are arranged upon that side of the machine opposite to the side upon which countershaft 38 is dis- 1 posed. Shafts 43 are carried by the journal brackets 44 and 46. Miter gears 4'! drive shafts 43 in unison with shafts 18, while miter gears 48 cause shafts 43 to drive rollers 28 at the same speed.

The source of power for the feed means described above can be taken from a shaft 51, extending longitudinally of the machine, and suitably journaled upon the base structure 10. A drive connection between shafts 51 and 38 is 110 established thru sprockets 52 and 53, chain 54.

The details of the means 13 for applying a layer of plastic material to the exterior surface of the pipe, can be best explained by reference to Figs. 13, 4, 5 and 6. This means consists of a hopper 56, for receiving the plastic material, the lower end of which communicates with a structure 57. Structure 57 in the form illustrated consists of a pair of plates or castings 58 and 59, which are separated by metal walls formed from a sheet metalstrip'fil. Tie bolts 62 serve to retain the assembly of plates 58 and 59, with'respect to strip 61. Since sheet metal strip 61 is bent substantially U-shaped, as shown in Fig. 6, this assembly in effect may be said to form a continuation of the lower end of hopper 56 to conduct the plastic material fed from the hopper about t he pipe. Plates 58 and 59 are provided with alined openings 63 and 64, to permit passage of pipe 11, as shown in Fig. 5. The pipe is guided centrally with respect to openings 63 and 64, by means of an adapter ring 66.

To support the structure 57 and other associand ated parts, casting 59 is shown secured to one,

side of an upstanding plate 67, and this plate in turn is formed as a part of a bracket 68. A table 69, carried by the base 10,'serves as a mounting for this bracket. Plate 67 is likewise provided with an opening 71, in registry with the opening 64.

As is evident from Fig. 5, the plastic material caused to flow down thru structure 57, is caused to entirely surround the pipe, and as the pipe is moved longitudinally towards the right as viewed in Fig. 5, plastic material flows with the pipe thru openings 64 and 71. Before other operations take place with respect to the plastic coating, it is desirable to reduce the thickness of the plastic material carried with the pipe, to a predetermined dimension. Therefore secured to the outer face of plate 67, there is a nozzle 72. This nozzle is provided with a tapered opening 73, circular in transverse cross section, and which is in registry with opening 64, and in alinement with the axis of pipe 11. Plastic material which is forced to flow thru nozzle 72, together withof plastic material, I provide means including a sleeve 76, which is arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of pipe 11. One end portion 77 of this sleeve is enlarged, and is journaled upon nozzle 72. An end flange 78 upon the enlarged portion 77, is arranged adjacent to the outer face of plate 72 for the purpose to be presently explained. That end of sleeve 76 remote from the nozzle 72, is rotatably supported by a suitable journal 79, which in turn is carried by the supporting stand 80.

For driving sleeve 76 at a predetermined rate, I have shown means including a gear 81 which is keyed to the sleeve 76. Gear 81 (Fig.3) is engaged by a gear 82, which in turn is fixed to the countershaft 83. A connection is formed between shaft 83 and the lower longitudinal shaft 51, by means of sprockets 86 and 87, and chain 88. Likewise a drive shaft 89 carries a pinion 90, which engages gear 82. As will be presently explained shaft 89 is adapted to be driven by an electric motor or other suitable source of power. The connection between shafts 51 and 83 serves to drive shaft 51 at a proper speed for operating the feed mechanism 12.

Secured to the sleeve 76, in such a manner as to form an adjustable bracket, there is an L-lever 91. One arm of this, crank has a pivotal connection 92 with sleeve 76, and a stud 93 threaded into supply for a strip 101 of cloth or like material,

suitable for application upon top of the layer of plastic material. Referring particularly to Figs. 13 and 4, it will be noted that sleeve 76 is provided with a longitudinal slot 102, thru which the cloth strip 101 may pass, to enable winding the same upon top of the layer of plastic material.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, it will be noted that one segmental and arcuate wall portion 103, has its one edge defining one longitudinal boundary of the longitudinal slot 102. This wall portion has pivotal connections 104 to the main portion of sleeve 76, so as to be capable of vibratory movements in a direction substantially radially with respect to the axis of pipe 11. Outward swinging movement of wall 103 is limited by means of stop lugs 105.

In order to vibrate wall portion 103 at a rapid rate during operation of the machine, I have shown a device 106 in the form of a pneumatic hammer. The driving end of this hammer has a connection 107 to wall 103, while the other end of the hammer is carried by a bracket 108, which inturn is carried by the enlarged portion 77 of sleeve 76.

Air pressure to hammer 106 is preferably supplied thru a gland formed about that end of sleeve 76 which is journaled upon nozzle 72. Thus disposed upon the outer face of nozzle 72, there is a ring 109, which is counterbored to afford a closed annular pocket 111 about the flange 78. Leakage of air about flange 78 is prevented by the cupwasher 112 or equivalent means. A

port 113 forme in ring 109, is adapted to be connected to a source of air under pressure, thru a hose or pipe 114. The adjacent end of the sleeve 76 is also provided with a port 116 communicating with pocket 111, and adapted to be connected to the pneumatic hammer 106, thru the nection 117.

hose con In addition to providing means for continuously vibrating the-wall portion 103 during operation of the machine, it is desirable to rapidly vibrate other parts of the machine, to secure proper flow of the plastic material. Thus referring to Fig. 13, a pneumatic hammer 121 has been shown for vibrating one side wall of hopper 56. Likewise the pneumatic hammer 122 is provided for vibrating the lower curved wall portion of structure 57, and another hammer is provided (not shown), on the rear side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1B, for vibrating one side wall of structure 57, thru a connection with lug 123. It should be noted that the side walls of both hopper 56 and structure 59, being made of sheet metal, can be readily vibrated by pneumatic hammers. Vibration of one wall of hopper 56, together with I vibration of one or more side walls of structure 57, serves to insure proper and continual flow of plastic material down into the lower portion of structure 5'7 and into the nozzle 72. Vibration of the lower portion of the structure 57, insures proper distribution of the plastic material entirely about the pipe. Air pipes 124, 126 and 127, make connections with the pneumatic hammers just described, and together with the air supply pipelM, are connected to a common header pipe 128. This pipe in turn is connected to a suitable pneumatic compressor 129, or other convenient source of compressed air.

In operation of the machine, it is desirable to provide auxiliary means for carrying the weight of the pipe, adjacent to structure 5'7. Thus mounted upon table 69 there is shown a trunnion 131, which carries a rocker 132. Journaled upon rocker 132, are two pairs of rollers 133 and 134. These rollers engage the under side of pipe 11, and the rollers of each pair are arranged at an angle of say 90 with respect to each other. The pivotal axis of rocker 132 with respect to trunnion 131, is horizontal and at right angles to the axis of pipe 11.

As representative of a suitable source of power for operating the machine, I have shown an electric motor 136 (Fig. 1A) which is mounted upon the base 10. The shaft of this motor is connected by means of a chain drive 137, with a variable ratio drive transmitting mechanism 138. This mechanism is in turn connected by chain drive 139, to the drive shaft 89.

Operation of my machine can be outlined as follows :As the pipe 11 is fed longitudinally thru the machine by the feed means 12, the plastic material, which can be hydraulic Portland cement mortar, flows together with the pipe thru nozzle '72, so that upon leaving this nozzle the pipe has applied to its outer surface a uniform layer of the plastic material. Sleeve 76, together with reel 97 and the other parts carried by the sleeve, are continuously being rotated at a predetermined speed, so that the cloth strip 101 progresses thru slot 102 and is wrapped spirally upon top of the layer of plastic material. Obviously the speed of rotation of sleeve 76 must bear a predetermined ratio with respect to the longitudinal speed of movement of pipe 11. Likewise the stud shaft 96 for reel 97 should be set at a proper angle. The wrapping of the cloth strip upon top of the layer of plastic material, the winding of the cloth strip should be such as to provide a slight overlap between adjacent turns. With respect to the type of cloth strip employed, good results have been secured by employing ordinary cotton cheese cloth. Immediately after the cloth strip has been applied on top of the layer of plastic material, it is repeatedly pounded against the underlying plastic material by the rapidly vibrating arcuate wall 103. Such repeated pounding serves to densify and compact the layer of plastic material, and also serves to impregnate the cloth strip with the plastic material, or at least some components thereof, so that after the plastic layer has hardenedthere will be an effective bond between it and the cloth strip.

To permit continuous operation when coating separate pipe sections, it is preferable before one section has been completely coated, to couple the trailing end with a new uncoated pipe section. This can be accomplished by a suitable type of internal coupling, which will permit quick engagement and disengagement between the ends of pipe sections. A coated pipe section as it leaves the machine is preferably picked up by a conveyor, the coating near the coupling with the preceding pipe section is cut away, and the completed section then removed. After being coated by my machine, the pipe section can be immediately handled without injury, because the external wrapping of cloth retains the plastic caterial intact, even before it has had an opportunity 0 set.

During operation of my machine, if desired an undercoat of suitable material can be applied to the exterior surface of the pipe, before the plastic material is applied. Thus if desired suitable means for coating asphaltic or like materials upon the pipe, can be positioned to receive the pipe immediately following the feed means 12. Such coating materials can be either applied by brushes, by passing the pipe thru a bath of the coating material, or by spraying.

I claim:

1. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to the outer surface of a length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, a rotary device having a passage to receive said pipe together with the layer of plastic material applied thereto, as the pipe moves relative to the feed means, means mounted upon said device and rotatable therewith for supplying a strip of surfacing material to the outer surface of the plastic layer, and means for applying repeated impacts to said layer after the surfacing material has been applied thereto.

2. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to a moving length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, a device adapted to surround the pipe and thru which the pipe with said layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said device including a movable wall portion, means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion, and means for rotating said device about the pipe.

3. In a machine for applying a coating of plas tic material to a length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, a sleeve thru which said pipe together with the layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said sleeve being formed to provide a longitudinal slot and a movable wall portion adjacent to said slot, means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion, means for feeding a flat strip thru said slot, and means for rotating said sleeve whereby said strip is wound spirally about the pipe, and whereby said vibrating wall portion serves to compact the plastic material.

4. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to the outer surface of a length of pipe, a feed hopper adapted to receive plastic material applicating means forming a passage communicating with said hopper and serving to apply the plastic material about the surface of the pipe moving relatively thereto, a device adapted to surround the pipe and the layer of plastic material applied thereto, pneumatic vibrating means associated with said device, means for rotating said device together with said pneumatic vibrator about the pipe, and means enabling a connection between said pneumatic vibrator and a source of air under pressure.

5. In a machine for coating pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the outer surface of the pipe, a rotatable sleeve thru which the pipe together with the layer of plastic material applied thereto is caused to pass, said sleeve being provided with a longitudinal slot, a reel carrying a strip of surfacing material and rotatable about the pipe together with said sleeve, said sleeve being formed with a longitudinal slot to receive said strip at an angle with respect to the axis of the pipe.

- 6. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to a moving length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, a device adapted to surround the pipe and thru which the pipe with said layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said device including a movable wall portion, means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion, and means for causing relative rotation between the pipe and said device.

7. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to a moving length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, an annular device adapted to surround the pipe and thru which the pipe with said layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said annular device including a segmentalmovable wall portion, means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion in directions generally radially with re spect to the pipe, and means for causing relative rotation between the pipe and said annular device.

8. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to a length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, a sleeve thru which said pipe together with a layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said sleeve being formed to provide a longitudinal slot and a movable wall portion adjacent to said slot, means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion, means for feeding a flat strip through said slot, and means for causing relative rotation between the pipe and said sleeve, whereby said strip is wound spirally about the pipe and whereby said vibrating wall portion serves to compact the plastic material.

9. In a machine for applying a coating of plastic material to a length of pipe, means for feeding a layer of plastic material to the surface of the pipe, .a sleeve thru which said pipe together with a layer applied thereto is caused to pass, said sleeve being formed to provide a longitudinal slot and a segmental movable wall portion adjacent to said slot,- means for rapidly vibrating said wall portion in directions generally radially with respect to said pipe, means for feeding a flat strip of surfacing material through said slot, and means for causing relative rotation between the pipe and said sleeve, whereby said strip is wound spirally upon the layer of plastic material and whereby said vibrating wall portion serves to compact the plastic material.

WARREN A. KRANER. 

